Dillon Larson

Book Review: Steve Jobs

Details

• Title: Steve Jobs
• Author: Walter Isaacson
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: October 24, 2011
• Price: $35.00 at time of review
• Link: Simon & Schuster

Review

Introduction

In the final years of his life, Steve Jobs commissioned biographer Walter Isaacson (whose works include biographies of Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin) to write an authorized and complete biography for him. After countless interviews (including many with Steve himself), the finished work came only shortly after its subject died. Does Steve Jobs capture the spirit of one of the most influential figures in modern history?

Plot and structure

No one can say that Steve Jobs is not comprehensive. Before the book’s release, I read many stories about the sheer quantity of interviews Isaacson had conducted. I was a bit skeptical, but the book proved me wrong. The book is filled with quotations from people who were involved in Steve’s life, from his coworkers to his friends and family. But most importantly, it features many quotes from Steve himself.

That evening, he stressed to me that his hope was to remain as active as his health allowed. “I’m going to work on new products and marketing and the things that I like,” he said. But when I asked how it really felt to be relinquishing control of the company he had built, his tone turned wistful, and he shifted into the past tense. “I’ve had a very lucky career, a very lucky life,” he replied. “I’ve done all that I can do.” ¹

It’s mostly organized chronologically—which makes sense—with some small diversions into subjects such as Jobs’s love life. Isaacson balances between Jobs’s tenures at Apple, NeXT, and Pixar and his personal life. For me, the book was enthralling; I could not put it down. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of several beautiful photographs in the middle. They offer a glimpse into what was a very private life.

Characters and subjects

Isaacson’s work begins fittingly with a list titled “Characters”. There were a number in Jobs’s complex life, and Isaacson obviously strove to include as many as he could. The subjects usually seem accurately portrayed. The times when they disagree about something turn out to be some of the book’s most entertaining (Isaacson may reference a character’s “misconception” or “delusion”). There is no shortage of brilliance in these characters or in Isaacson’s clear portrayals of them.

The portrait Isaacson paints of Steve is obviously the most important, and I feel Steve is fairly and accurately portrayed—which is, after all, what he wanted.

Writing style

Isaacson’s writing style is generally enjoyable, though it can get a bit monotonous at times. The book is easy to read for the most part, but it appears to have suffered from a lack of editing. He explores the issues in detail, but usually remains succinct. Quotes from relevant people really set this work apart from others.

The process began with Jobs and Ive figuring out the right screen size. They had twenty models made—all rounded rectangles, of course—in slightly varying sizes and aspect ratios. Ive laid them out on a table in the design studio, and in the afternoon they would lift the velvet cloth hiding them and play with them. “That’s how we nailed what the screen size was,” Ive said. ²

The things that bothered me the most while I read were various minor errors. For example, “the Mac OSX” should really read “Mac OS X” below (emphasis added).

Adobe made matters even worse when it also didn’t write its other popular programs, such as Photoshop, for the Mac OSX, even though the Macintosh was popular among designers and other creative people who used those applications. ³

Conclusion

Steve Jobs does not try to hide its subject’s imperfections and flaws. It attempts to accurately depict Jobs’s life and times and explain the reasoning behind his sometimes controversial decisions. While Isaacson’s writing style leaves something to be desired, the book’s inclusion of dozens of truly interesting characters from Jobs’s life makes it a very enjoyable read. I was really very happy with this book. I think he would have been, too.

Ratings

• Plot and structure: 10 out of 10
• Characters and subjects: 10 out of 10
• Writing style: 7 out of 10
• Overall rating: 9 out of 10

Dillon Larson

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